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South Africa has an amazing heritage of Cycads ranging in variety from dwarf species to truly giant species, with considerable diversity in leaf colour and leaf forms.  An interesting and sometimes confusing factor is that variation exists between different localities of the same species, reasons being:

• Difference in growing conditions between the various localities e.g., soil, rainfall, temperature, sun or shade.
• Genetic differences between localities.  These differences can lead to a contentious issue begging the question: “What is the determining factor/s for dividing a specie into two or more species?”

At this stage, however, we refrain from elaborating on this issue.
With regards to the different locality variations, we aspire to provide correct, relevant, interesting and verified facts to cycad enthusiasts.